UNDERSTANDING LIFE SYSTEMS HUMAN ORGAN SYSTEMS
Big Ideas
Organ systems are components of a larger system (the body) and, as such, work together and affect one another.
Organ structures are linked to their functions.
Systems in the human body work together to meet our basic needs.
Choices we make affect our organ systems and, in turn, our overall health.
UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS FORCES ACTING ON STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS
Big Ideas
Structures and mechanisms throughout our environment have forces that act on and within them.
We can measure forces in order to determine how they affect structures and mechanisms. This information can be used to guide the design of new structures and mechanisms.
Forces that result from natural phenomena have an effect on society and the environment.
UNDERSTANDING MATTER AND ENERGY PROPERTIES OF AND CHANGES IN MATTER
Big Ideas
There are three states of matter.
Matter that changes state is still the same matter.
Physical change refers to the fact that a substance can be changed from one form to another.
Chemical change implies the formation of a new substance.
The properties of materials determine their use and may have an effect on society and the environment.
UNDERSTANDING EARTH AND SPACE SYSTEMS CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND RESOURCES
Big Ideas
Energy sources are either renewable or non-renewable.
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can be transformed.
Choices about using energy and resources have both immediate and long-term impacts.
Conservation (reducing our use of energy and resources) is one way of reducing the impacts of using energy and resources.